Safe Birth” during emergencies campaign launched in Istanbul

The needless deaths of women and newborns during humanitarian crises are being highlighted by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) with the launch of a campaign called “Safe Birth Even Here”   The campaign, which is supported by the apparel company Benetton, aims to raise awareness of the critical needs of pregnant women, particularly in crises and fragile situations.   It was launched on the margins of the World Humanitarian Summit which took place in the Turkish city, Istanbul.   Reem Abaza spoke to the UNFPA Executive Director, Babatunde Osotimehin.

Canadian indigenous women plagued by racism, sexism and lack of protection

Canada’s decision to launch an inquiry into the disappearance and murder of hundreds of indigenous women over the past 30 years has been welcomed by an activist from the country.  Dawn Lavell-Harvard believes the process will expose what she sees as “the very ugly truth” of how these citizens are treated.  Ms Lavell-Harvard is president of the Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) which advocates on behalf of women from First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.  She was in New York to participate in the annual session of the recent UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues .  Ms Lavell-Harvard told Dianne Penn about her hopes for the inquiry.

LGBTI community faces systematic attempt to stifle its voice

The international community of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex people faces a systematic attempt to stifle their right to voice an opinion; that’s according to Charles Radcliffe from the UN human rights office (OHCHR).  His comments came after 11 civil society organisations representing LGBTI and other marginalized communities were refused permission to attend a forthcoming UN conference on HIV and AIDS.  It’s reported that 51 UN Member States objected to their participation. Daniel Dickinson asked Mr Radcliffe for his reaction to the decision.

Presenter: Daniel Dickinson

Production Assistant: Sandra Guy

Duration: 10'00″